Generative AI in higher education

Generative AI can be your personal assistant, helping you with research, coding, brainstorming, organizing ideas and editing your work. It can also give you feedback on grammar, content and punctuation. But remember, copying and pasting AI output won't help you learn and puts you at risk for academic misconduct. Use AI to help develop your writing skills and polish your work but be transparent about how you use it, ensure alignment with AI and academic integrity and weigh the ethical considerations of AI in education.

One of the advantages of using Microsoft^® CoPilot^® is the ability to make real-time changes while working on a Microsoft^® Office document, streamlining tasks like writing, data analysis, and presentations. In Word, CoPilot^® can instantly assist with drafting essays or reports by generating content based on your topic, while suggesting improvements in grammar, tone, and clarity, making revisions quick and efficient. In Excel, it helps organize data, run formulas, and create charts or graphs in real time, making data analysis more straightforward. When working in PowerPoint, Copilot can transform outlines or key points into polished slide decks, complete with design suggestions and relevant visuals, right as you're building the presentation.

Like any online application, you should be mindful of what information you input into generative AI tools since they operate based on the input they receive. Never share sensitive information with a generative AI tool. However, when using Copilot through your Microsoft 365^® account, enterprise data protection encrypts your conversations and keeps disclosed details private.

AI tools are great for gathering initial ideas about a topic. For example, you can ask Copilot a question, and it will provide an answer with links to various sources. This can help you develop your topic and learn how to identify credible sources of information. AI tools may produce output that is inaccurate and untrue, so it is your responsibility to evaluate any output accordingly.

AI tools are not completely reliable in regard to academic research. AI output can sometimes be inaccurate, biased or off topic. AI tools require human oversight, and just like in traditional research, any output should be evaluated for credibility, accuracy and bias. The University Library or Google^® Scholar are much better options to help you find credible, vetted resources for your assignments.

The use of AI in education presents several risks that educators and learners should be mindful of. One major concern is the potential for overreliance on AI, which can impede the development of essential skills such as critical thinking, communication and analytical abilities. These skills are crucial in today's workforce, where companies seek employees capable of independent thought and innovation. Excessive use of AI tools might lead students to depend too heavily on technology for solutions, thus undermining their ability to solve problems without automated assistance. Furthermore, there's a risk that creativity could be stifled, as students may opt for AI-generated responses rather than developing unique ideas. To mitigate these risks, it's important to strike a balance between leveraging AI's capabilities and maintaining traditional learning approaches that foster independent thinking and creativity.

Generative AI can significantly enhance your writing and communication skills through several powerful mechanisms. By providing real-time feedback and suggestions, AI tools help you identify areas for improvement, such as grammar, style and clarity. This immediate response allows you to refine your writing iteratively, honing your ability to express ideas more effectively.

Additionally, interacting with AI encourages you to articulate your thoughts clearly, as precise instructions yield better outputs. This process not only improves your technical writing skills but also strengthens your ability to communicate ideas succinctly and persuasively. Over time, the continuous engagement and feedback loop with AI can lead to more polished and impactful communication.

Communication is key to tailoring a generative AI tool to your desired purposes. Start by defining clear objectives and providing context for your interactions. Train the AI with specific commands to ensure accuracy, such as instructing it not to guess answers. You can also ask a question in multiple ways to ensure consistency of the AI output. Try offering regular feedback to refine its performance and specify preferred formats and boundaries to tailor the AI’s responses to your needs. These steps will help the AI deliver more precise and relevant outputs.